In this guest blog, Simon Scott, Post Graduate Researcher at Nottingham Trent University, looks at the challenges facing those who have aged considerably in prison.

We all face challenges as we grow older, from maintaining skills in a changing workplace to preserving our mental and physical wellbeing as our bodies stop performing as they once did. A whole raft of additional issues face those who have spent decades incarcerated, entering prison in their (relative) youth, and emerging only after they have passed an invisible line that marks them forever as old.

During my research with men serving mandatory life sentences in the community, it became clear that some of the problems faced after release arose primarily because of the length of imprisonment. They had gone into prison young; they had come out old. On release, not only did they have to face up to a world much changed from the one they had left, but they were facing it on fundamentally altered terms. They were different in body and mind from the person imprisoned and their lives had been vastly different from those around them on release.

Loss of connections

One of the most profound consequences of ageing in prison was the loss of social connections and networks. As the years passed, people found themselves disconnected from the world outside; they missed out on shared social and emotional experiences, even negative ones, and relational bonds weakened and were often lost. While their generational peers aged and evolved, they remained trapped in a time capsule, unable to grow older alongside loved ones. The relational pains of being separated from family and friends led to profound feelings of isolation.

Ageing in prison chips away at the foundations of family and social support. While some continuity with loved ones may be maintained, the chasm between the incarcerated individual's daily life and that of their family widens significantly. The lack of shared experiences and the incompatibility of day-to-day realities make it difficult to maintain secure relationships. All intimacy is lost, leading to unhappiness, loneliness, and potential difficulties in future sexual relationships. Additionally, secondary ties are weakened, as connections made in prison rarely provide access to the social networks available outside, hindering opportunities for personal growth and societal integration. The moment of release is dreamed of as a rosy moment where connections are restored, and opportunities are plentiful. Yet this is unlikely to be the case.

Limitations on achievements

The limited opportunities available to earn a wage in prison restrict an individual's ability to accumulate any material wealth and achieve personal goals, both while in prison and on release. Outside prison, achievements (including owning a home) are compensations for the process of ageing. In prison, people are severely restricted in opportunities to develop skills, and attain significant milestones, hindering their sense of purpose and personal growth. Furthermore, the very nature of prison can infantilise, denying people the chance to mature and pursue meaningful goals.

Older people leaving prison after a long sentence typically do so with limited or no savings, minimal pensions (due to gaps in national insurance contributions), and a bleak outlook on future earning potential. The lack of financial stability upon release adds another layer of uncertainty to an already challenging situation. Rebuilding one's life becomes an uphill battle, as the financial consequences persist long after the prison gates have opened.

Barriers to desistance and rehabilitation

Physical freedom may bring relief, but the challenges of navigating the post-prison world are formidable. Activities like finding employment, securing suitable housing, accessing benefits, even obtaining ID or three months of utility statements with their name on, become daunting tasks. The stigma of incarceration lingers, limiting opportunities for growth and change, and extinguishing hope. The mismatch between available services and the specific needs of older individuals further compounds the challenge.

Social and health care challenges

An older person with a serious violent offence in their past may hesitate to seek medical advice and show vulnerabilities to healthcare professionals, particularly in mental health and well-being matters. The fear of judgment and a perception of receiving unequal care due to past convictions hinder individuals from seeking the support they require. Moreover, accessing appropriate social care services is often impeded by licensing constraints or the need for organisations to demonstrate a rigid focus on risk management. These barriers can leave ageing individuals isolated and without the support they need to thrive.

Ageing in prison presents a multitude of unique challenges that demand our attention. The loss of connection, limitations on achievements, compromised material security, diminishing family and social support, the difficulties of navigating life after incarceration, barriers to desistance and rehabilitation, and challenges in accessing social and health care services all contribute to the struggles faced by older individuals as they emerge from behind bars.

Addressing these issues

It is essential for the statutory and voluntary sectors – and society as a whole - to recognise and address these issues; offering support, understanding, and tailored solutions that foster dignity, growth, and reintegration for those who have grown older within the confines of the prison system. We need to look at where prejudices against those with a conviction are having a substantive effect – for example, accessing rented housing can be prohibitively difficult for someone with a conviction – and yet, someone with a mandatory life sentence is likely to appreciate and invest far more in any house than the average person, they have gained so much through having a home and have so much to lose.

By shedding light on these overlooked narratives, we can work towards a more compassionate and inclusive criminal justice system that acknowledges the diverse experiences of all those impacted by incarceration. Let us strive to create a society that provides meaningful opportunities for growth after prison for all and the chance for older individuals to age with grace, hope, and purpose, both inside and outside prison walls.

Simon Scott is a Post Graduate Researcher at Nottingham Trent University and is coordinating the Older People in Criminal Justice (OPiC) network on behalf of Clinks. Sign up for the first network event here.

Image credit: © Fine Cell Work/photography by Matt Watson

Correction and acknowledgement: Clinks would like to apologise for initially using the header image for this blog without applying credit to the owner. We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the work Fine Cell Work does with people serving long sentences and older people in prison. Fine Cell Work is a valued Clinks member and we commend the work they do with prisoners to assist them in developing skills for the future and in providing them with purposeful activity whilst serving a sentence. Clinks would also like to acknowledge the excellent craftsmanship of all those who produce needlework with the assistance of Fine Cell Work.

Visit Fine Cell Work's website to find out more, where you can also purchase high quality items produced by skilled craftspeople serving sentences - click the link here: All products – Fine Cell Work